Mines to receive DOE funding for nuclear energy research and development project

GOLDEN, Colo., May 7, 2009 – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced awards for 71 university research projects, including one at Colorado School of Mines, as part of the Department of Energy’s investments in cutting-edge nuclear energy research and development.

The Mines project, “TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions,” is led by Ivar Reimanis, metallurgical and materials engineering professor. It falls under the DOE’s Next Generation Nuclear Plant research field.

Under the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), these 71 projects will receive approximately $44 million over three years to advance new nuclear technologies in support of the nation’s energy goals. Contracts for the R&D projects are expected to be awarded by Sept. 30 by the Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, a management and operating contractor for DOE at the Idaho National Laboratory.

By helping to develop the next generation of advanced nuclear technologies, the NEUP will play a key role in addressing the global climate crisis and moving the nation toward greater use of nuclear energy.

“As a zero-carbon energy source, nuclear power must be part of our energy mix as we work toward energy independence and meeting the challenge of global warming,” said Secretary Chu. “The next generation of nuclear power plants — with the highest standards of safety, efficiency and environmental protection — will require the latest advancements in nuclear science and technology. These research and development university awards will ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in the nuclear field for years to come.”

In addition to the Next Generation Nuclear Plant, also known as Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems, the DOE will support projects in fields including the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative, Investigator-Initiated Research and Light Water Reactor Sustainability.

In keeping with the Obama Administration’s commitment to training the next generation of American scientists, Secretary Chu also announced the DOE is accepting applications for individual nuclear science and engineering scholarships and fellowships under the Nuclear Energy University Program.

As part of the Department’s efforts to recruit and train the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers, DOE is offering approximately $2.9 million in university fellowships and scholarships to support students entering the nuclear science and engineering fields. Further details on the Request for Applications are available at: www.caesenergy.org.